hair color - what color and brand to use?

[assumes]

alright. i am currently bored with my hair. i know that i dont want to cut my hair short. i would maybe go a little shorter then what i have now but nothing really drastic. i want really long hair but since my hair is naturally curly...it is taking forever.

so i really want to color it. but i dont really know if i should go lighter or darker. i would want something permanent. i was thinking auburn but im not sure. please help with suggestions about color and brand. pics would be great also :)

here is a timeline of my hair from 07 to 08:



this is november 07. my hair was long and dead so i cut it. i straightened it that day



i then got it cut & angled above my shoulders. she straightened it for me. this is dec. 07.



here it is with the same cut, just curly. this is feb. 08.



i wear it like this now a lot because it is so hot. its pushed back with my bangs down. may 08.



i then decided to straighten it one day. june 08.



my bangs and hair are back. june 08.



this is from today - july 2, 2008.